The Driver Power State Failure is a common error known as a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) that occurs on Windows computers.
This issue arises when there is a mismatch or malfunction in the system’s drivers, which are crucial for hardware components to communicate effectively with the operating system.
It often triggers when drivers are outdated, corrupted, or incompatible, leading to system instability and crashes to prevent further damage.
Understanding and resolving this error is essential to maintaining your computer’s health and performance. Read on for practical solutions to address and fix the Driver Power State Failure error on Windows 10 and 11.
What is Driver Power State Failure Windows 10?
This problem means that one of your computer’s drivers isn’t working right because it’s in a bad power state. This error can cause your computer to show a blue error screen and shut down to avoid damage.
This often happens because the drivers aren’t matching well with your system. If you’re not sure how to fix this issue on Windows 10 or 11, read on for some easy solutions.
Reason for Driver State Power Failure?
The “Driver Power State Failure” is a type of Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) error that happens when there’s a problem with one of your computer’s drivers. Drivers are software programs that help your computer’s hardware communicate with its operating system.
This error can occur if a driver is outdated, corrupt, or doesn’t match your computer’s hardware or operating system well. Several things can cause this error:
- Sometimes, a driver might try to enter a low-power state—like when your computer goes to sleep but doesn’t restart correctly. This issue might happen because of a conflict with your computer’s power management system.
- If drivers are old or corrupted, they can also lead to this error.
- Lastly, if there’s a problem with a hardware component, it could lead to issues with drivers that cause this BSOD error.
Ways to Fix Driver Power State Failure
The following are different ways to fix Driver Power State Failure:
Method 1: Restart in Safe Mode
To address the driver power state failure issue, it’s a good idea to start your computer in Safe Mode first. Safe Mode launches your PC with only the essential programs, which makes it easier to pinpoint problems with Windows. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Turn on your computer with installation media inserted.
Step 2: Click “Repair your computer” to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).
Step 3: Then, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
Step 4: Once the computer restarts, press F4 to enter Safe Mode.
After your computer is in Safe Mode, you can try the following steps to fix the error.
Method 2: Update Your System Drivers
To update your system drivers, you can start with a Windows update. Microsoft provides stable, approved updates for all your drivers, which can often fix the ‘DRIVER POWER STATE FAILURE’ BSOD error.
You can also check out third-party tools and guides for updating drivers on Windows 11. Here’s how to update using Windows:
Step 1. Press the Windows + S keys on your keyboard to open the search bar and type in “Windows Update”. Click on the suggested result, or go to Settings -> Windows Update.
Step 2. Click on “Check for Updates”. Windows will look for any important driver updates for your system. If it finds any, install them, and you might be asked to restart your computer afterwards.
Method 3: Update Problematic Driver
If you’re wondering how to identify the driver causing the “Driver Power State Failure,” you can use the Device Manager. Here’s how to find and update the problematic driver:
Step 1. Press the Windows key, type “Device Manager,” and open it from the search results.
Step 2. Look for any hardware with a yellow warning sign next to it—this indicates an issue with the driver.
Step 3. You have two options: you can download the latest drivers for the device or right-click on the device and select “Update Driver.” Choose to search for updated drivers online through Windows Update.
Method 4: Remove External Devices
External devices connected to your PC, like USB drives, external hard drives, or microphones, can also cause the Driver Power State Failure error.
To troubleshoot, unplug all peripherals except for your keyboard and mouse, which you need to operate the system. After disconnecting, restart your PC to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 5: Adjust Windows Power Settings
Some devices might not work properly and show the ‘Driver Power State Failure’ error under certain power plans. Changing your Windows 10 or 11 system’s power plan to Balanced or High Performance could help. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1. Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I on your keyboard.
Step 2. Navigate to System -> Power.
Step 3. Use the drop-down menu to switch the power mode to either Balanced or Performance.
While this might fix the problem temporarily, keep an eye out for updates that might offer a more permanent solution.
Method 6: Undo Recent Hardware Upgrades
Consider uninstalling any recently installed hardware, such as RAM or an SSD, to see if that fixes the problem.
The “DRIVER_POWER_STATE_FAILURE” problem on Windows PCs can occasionally be caused by new hardware, especially if the new parts aren’t functioning correctly. If these additions are the source of the issue, removing them can assist in identifying it.
Method 7: Undo Recent Driver Update
If a new driver update is causing the “Driver Power State Failure” error on your Windows PC, you might need to roll it back. Here’s how to undo a driver update:
Step 1. Right-click the Windows start button and select “Device Manager.” You can also open it by searching for it as mentioned earlier.
Step 2. Right-click on the malfunctioning device driver that you want to roll back.
Step 3. Click “Properties” in the context menu.
Step 4. Go to the “Driver” tab and click the “Roll Back Driver” button.
Conclusion
Fixing the “Driver Power State Failure” error usually involves updating drivers, rolling back recent updates, adjusting power settings, and removing new hardware or external devices.
These steps help make sure everything works well together, preventing crashes and keeping your system stable. Regularly checking for updates and making sure your hardware matches your drivers can also help avoid this and other problems, ensuring your Windows PC runs smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Driver Power State Failure?
Driver Power State Failure errors typically happen when a computer or device driver enters sleep mode while you are still using it.
What Causes Driver Failure?
Many issues with device drivers on Windows stem from drivers that are missing, corrupted, or outdated. That’s why it’s important to regularly update your device drivers.
What Should I Do if my Computer is Slow?
If your computer is slow, clear out temporary files, check for viruses, and update your software. Adding more memory or a faster hard drive can also help.
How Do I Update my Computer’s Drivers?
To update drivers, go to Device Manager in Windows, right-click the device you want to update and choose “Update Driver.” You can also download the latest drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
How Can I Avoid Losing Files if my Computer Crashes?
To protect your files, regularly back them up to an external drive or online storage. Make sure your programs are set to save your work automatically.
